Rams News

RAMS' QUARTERBACK BELIEVES HE'S READY TO SHINE
by R.B. Fallstrom

MACOMB--The NFL's most abused quarterback the last two seasons is about to get some relief.  Tony Banks of the St. Louis Rams has been sacked 91 times his first two full seasons, an average of nearly three official knockdowns per game.  That's not counting the innumerable hits he's absorbed after the play.
"In the offseason, for probably a month, I felt a little old," said the 25-year-old Banks.
In any case, the Rams are taking steps to avoid premature aging. 1) Banks will frequently operate out of the shotgun.  2) He'll take more quick drops and throw more quick patterns.  3) If steps 1 and 2 don't help and nobody is open, he'll throw the ball away.
Assistant head coach Mike White, who's coaching Banks this year, is emphasizing the third point.  White said some of the pounding Banks has taken has been due to inexperience, and he doesn't want his young quarterback waiting too long for a play to develop.
"Obviously, he got hit, but maybe he was trying to make a perfect decision," White said.  "The spontaneous quarterbacks who either run or throw the ball away when things aren't there, those are the guys whose careers last longer.  They realize it's over; I can't do any more."
Banks said that's all part of the maturation process.  It's extremely early, and he was surrounded by rookies in the early portion of training camp, but it's still progress that he exuded confidence.  "I feel like a wily vet," Banks said.  "I'm feeling as comfortable as I've ever been."
Banks loves the shotgun because he can see the field better, doesn't have to worry about dropping back, and can show off his arm.  And he doesn't mind the short passing game, which should improve his completion percentage.  Last year it was only 51 percent, third-lowest of all NFL starters. 
It should also help him that the general offensive scheme hasn't changed. "Things are going to be a lot more crisp, and we're going to be able to do a lot of things," he said.  "The whole offense will look like we're more in control."
That'll be a big departure from his previous experiences at quarterback. While showing flashes of brilliance such as his 401-yard passing day against Atlanta, Banks' early years on the job are notable mostly for the pratfalls.  Two years ago, he set an NFL record with 21 fumbles.  Last year, the fire drill continued.
"It was hectic a lot of times, a lot of penalties, a lot of offsides, guys being unsure, me throwing the ball and you never know where it's going, things like that," Banks said.  "I don't think you'll see a streaky quarterback any more."
The coaching staff also is pretty confident those days are over.  Although the Rams acquired Steve Bono in the offseason, it's clear that the job is Banks' to lose.
"I think he's matured a lot," coach Dick Vermeil said.  "The more he's been exposed to consistent ways of doing things, the more he's been exposed to the personality of leadership, the better it gets."
White, a noted developer of quarterbacks when he was in the college ranks, said Banks' development has been hampered by learning a new offense every year in college and his first two seasons with the Rams.
"He's still got some rough edges physically and mechanically, and obviously he's still learning the business," White said.  "I hope to heck we can make it successful for him because I believe he's ready for that."
Banks likes not having to play catch-up for a change.  "I've always had high expectations of myself, and I think this is my best opportunity for success," he said.  "Our minicamps were incredible.  Things are going to be a lot more crisp."
One thing that's not likely to change much is the appearance that Banks is almost too calm under fire.  Fans have been critical of his seeming laid-back attitude, but he wants to be a leader, not a stereotype, and he argues that he must be himself.
"I'm never going to be the face mask-grabber type,"  Banks said.  "I'll wait till I get to the sideline to let them know how I feel and let them know we've got to step it up."
White likes Banks' style.  "I don't think you'll see that short fuse," White said.  "That, probably when it's all said and done, is going to be a benefit to him.  I think he's going to push through the good things and the bad things."
Vermeil said nobody questions Banks' athletic skills, his intelligence, or his toughness.  "The only thing left to question is how quickly he will take advantage of all these tools," Vermail said.  "It just takes time."

ARCHIVE

HOME